Watch Lucifer Rising

Lucifer Rising is a 1972 experimental film directed by Kenneth Anger, featuring a soundtrack by Bobby Beausoleil. The film explores the themes of mythology, religion, and the occult, and is considered to be a landmark in American independent cinema. The film is divided into three parts, each one exploring different aspects of the Luciferian mythos. The first part shows images of ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics and symbols, drawing connections between the ancient religion and the modern age. The second part features occult ritual and ceremony, with images of black magic and satanic iconography. The third part is a portrait of the musician and convicted murderer, Bobby Beausoleil, who also composed the film's score.

Throughout the film, Anger employs a dreamlike and surreal visual style, using a mixture of superimposed images, montage, and color filters. The soundtrack, composed by Beausoleil, builds a haunting and otherworldly atmosphere that perfectly complements the film's themes.

Lucifer Rising was made during a time of great cultural upheaval in America, and it reflects the countercultural movements of the era. The film's emphasis on the pagan and the satanic was seen as a rejection of established religious norms, and its experimental style was a departure from traditional Hollywood filmmaking.

The film is also notable for featuring a cast of counterculture icons, including Anton LaVey, founder of the Church of Satan, Marianne Faithfull, and Mick Jagger. These figures helped to cement the film's status as a cult classic, and it remains a beloved and influential work in the history of avant-garde cinema.

Despite its controversial subject matter and unconventional style, Lucifer Rising is widely regarded as a masterwork of experimental cinema, and continues to inspire filmmakers and artists today. Its exploration of myth, religion, and the occult continues to resonate with audiences, and its use of music and visual imagery sets a standard for artistic expression that remains unparalleled. Whether viewed as a work of art or a piece of countercultural history, Lucifer Rising remains essential viewing for anyone interested in the intersection of film, music, and the occult.